Protector for bare feet

ABSTRACT

A flexible-member foot protector has an outer shape and dimensions generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer&#39;s foot. The flexible member&#39;s top includes a raised region adjacent to the outer edge that will be aligned with an arch of the wearer&#39;s foot when the wearer&#39;s foot is placed on the top. The top also includes a first contiguous raised rim along the top adjacent to the flexible member&#39;s outer edge. The flexible member&#39;s bottom includes a second contiguous raised rim adjacent to the flexible member&#39;s outer edge. The bottom also includes a plurality of spaced-apart relief members within the confines of the second contiguous raised rim. Each of the relief members has a height that is less than a height of the second contiguous raised rim.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to protection for the soles of bare feet, and more particularly to a protector that can be adhered to the sole of a bare foot while leaving the rest of the foot exposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While walking barefoot is safe and enjoyable in many locations and situations, there are also many times that one's bare feet need protection and cushioning from a ground surface. In cases where conventional shoes might not be practical or desirable, the only choice is to go barefoot. For example, when on a sandy beach, the soles of one's bare feet are exposed to hot sand, broken shells and glass, tar balls, etc. In healthcare facilities, the soles of one's bare feet can be exposed to a variety of germs as a patient moves about treatment rooms. The same is true in health clubs, gyms and spas. However, donning one's shoes is not always possible or practical in these situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foot protector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foot protector that offers a wearer the freedom of going barefoot without the risks and discomfort associated with going barefoot.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.

In accordance with the present invention, a foot protector is a flexible member having an outer shape and dimensions generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer's foot. The flexible member has a top, a bottom, and an outer edge. The top includes a raised region adjacent to the outer edge that will be aligned with an arch of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is placed on the top. The top also includes a first contiguous raised rim along the top adjacent to the flexible member's outer edge. The bottom includes a second contiguous raised rim adjacent to the flexible member's outer edge. The bottom also includes a plurality of spaced-apart relief members within the confines of the second contiguous raised rim. Each of the relief members has a height that is less than a height of the second contiguous raised rim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments and to the drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a foot protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of a foot protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the foot protector taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 illustrating a fixed-height and flat raised arch region in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the foot protector taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 illustrating a shaped and raised arch region in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the foot protector taken along line 4-4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a fixed-height, raised arch region in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the foot protector taken along line 4-4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a shaped, raised arch region in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the foot protector taken along line 4-4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a layer of an adhesive on the top surface of the foot protector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the foot protectors taken along line 4-4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating an adhesive covered by a non-adhesive releasable sheet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the foot protector taken along line 5-5 in FIGS. 1-2 illustrating relief members in the heel region of the foot protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, simultaneous reference will be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 where a foot protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown and is referenced generally by numeral 10. In general, the outer shape and dimension of foot protector 10 generally match that of a sole of wearer's foot (not shown) to include the foot's toes, ball, arch, and heel. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the actual shape and dimensions of foot protector 10 can vary slightly without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, foot protector 10 is configured for the right foot of wearer. It is to be understood that a left foot version of the present invention's foot protector is a mirror image of the illustrated right-foot foot protection. That is, in general, a user would wear the illustrated foot protector 10 on their right foot and a mirror image of foot protector 10 on their left foot.

Foot protector 10 is a one-piece, flexible member having a top (FIG. 1) and a bottom (FIG. 2). The top of foot protector 10 will face the sole of wearer's foot and the bottom of foot protector 10 will face a ground surface. In general, foot protector 10 is made from a compressible but elastic material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, isotropic and non-isotropic synthetic or natural rubbers, polymers, etc. A variety of non-limiting methods for making foot protector 10 include molding processes, 3-D printing, casting processes, etc.

The top of foot protector 10 is defined by a generally flat surface region 12 bounded by a raised rim 14 and a raised region 16. More specifically, raised region 16 extends up from flat surface 12 in an area of foot protector 10 that will align with the arch of a wearer's foot. Raised rim 14 extends up from flat surface 12 and continuously along the outer edge periphery 18 of foot protector 10 from the fore and aft edges 16A and 16B, respectively, of raised region 16. Raised rim 14 can also include toe separators 14A to thereby define separate toe surfaces 12A on surface region 12.

The bottom of foot protector 10 is defined by a generally flat surface 22 bounded by a raised rim 24 and a plurality of raised or relief members 26. Raised rim 24 extends away from flat surface 22 contiguously along the outer edge periphery 18 of foot protector 10. Raised rim 24 can also include toe separators 24A generally aligned with toe separators 14A on the top of foot protector 10. Relief members 26 also extend away from flat surface 22. As will be explained later herein with reference to other views of foot protector 10 described below, the height of all relief members 26 (where height is measured relevant to flat surface 22) is less than the height of raised rim 24.

As mentioned above, raised region 16 will be aligned with a wearer's arch. Accordingly, raised region 16 presents a generally semi-circular shape in a plan view thereof. The height of raised region 16 is generally greater than the height of raised rim 14 to facilitate foot placement and comfort. The heights of raised rim 14 and raised region 16 are measured relative to flat surface 12. The height of raised region 16 can be constant as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. However, the height of raised region 16 can also be variable to define a curved shape as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B such that raised region 16 will naturally nest with the concavity of the arch (not shown) of a wearer's foot.

The present invention is readily adapted for adherence to the bare sole of a wearer's foot. For example, FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which an adhesive 30 is applied to the top's flat surface 12. Some or all of flat surface 12 can have adhesive 30 applied thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. In general, adhesive 30 is any type of hypoallergenic adhesive that can be safely adhered to a wearer's skin and then release from a wearer's skin when the foot protector is removed therefrom. Adhesive 30 can be provided on flat surface 12 during fabrication of foot protector 10, or could be applied to flat surface 12 (or to the sole of a wearer's foot) just prior to use of the foot protector. In embodiments where adhesive 30 is applied to flat surface 12 during the fabrication thereof, a protective and releasable sheet 32 can be used to cover adhesive 30 and flat surface 12 as shown in FIG. 4D.

As mentioned above, the height of all relief members 26 is less than the height of raised rim 24. As a result, each time a user steps on a ground surface (not shown), the portions of the bottom of foot protector 10 lying inside of raised rim 24 will be pressed downward until one or more of relief members 26 touch the ground surface. By virtue of this design, the foot protector provides cushioning beyond the compressibility of the material used therefor and a user's foot is continually pressed into better engagement with adhesive 30 on flat surface 12.

In the illustrated embodiments, relief members 26 are divided into two groups. The first group 26A will be aligned the portion of wearer's foot that extends from the ball thereof to approximately the middle arch. Relief members 26A are a concentric arrangement of contiguous ridges to provide a broad-base balance support as a user walks. The second group 26B will be aligned with approximately the heel of a wearer's foot. In general, relief members 26B will absorb heel strike as a user walks such that relief members 26B are generally broader in shape (FIG. 5) those used for relief members 26A. Relief members 26B could take a variety of geometric shapes without departing form the scope of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, relief members 26B include features such as a caricature of bare feet silhouettes and branding.

The advantages of the present invention are numerous. A user can protect and cushion the soles of their bare feet without wearing conventional footwear. The foot protector provides cushion and support, and is configured to continuously engage adhesive with a wearer's foot as they walk.

Although the invention has been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 

1. A foot protector, comprising: a flexible member having an outer shape and dimensions generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer's foot, said flexible member having a top, a bottom, and an outer edge, said top including a raised region adjacent to said outer edge and adapted to be aligned with an arch of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is placed on said top, said top including a first contiguous raised rim along said top adjacent to said outer edge, said bottom including a second contiguous raised rim along said bottom adjacent to said outer edge, and said bottom including a plurality of spaced-apart relief members within the confines of said second contiguous raised rim, each of said relief members having a height that is less than a height of said second contiguous raised rim.
 2. A foot protector as in claim 1, wherein said raised region has a height that is greater than a height of said first contiguous raised rim.
 3. A foot protector as in claim 1, wherein said raised region has a curved surface adapted to generally nest with the arch of the wearer's foot.
 4. A foot protector as in claim 1, wherein said relief members include a concentric arrangement of contiguous ridges.
 5. A foot protector as in claim 4, wherein said concentric arrangement is adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the mid-arch of the wearer's foot.
 6. A foot protector as in claim 1, wherein said relief members are adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the heel of the wearer's foot.
 7. A foot protector as in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive on at least a portion of said top, said adhesive adapted to adhere to the sole of the wearer's foot.
 8. A foot protector, comprising: a one-piece flexible member having a contiguous body whose outer shape and dimensions are generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer's foot, said flexible member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge, a raised region coupled to said top surface adjacent to said outer edge and adapted to be aligned with an arch of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is placed on said top surface, a first contiguous raised rim coupled to said top surface and adjacent to said outer edge, said first contiguous raised rim beginning and ending at said raised region, a second contiguous raised rim coupled to said bottom surface adjacent to said outer edge, and a plurality of spaced-apart relief members coupled to said bottom surface within the confines of said second contiguous raised rim, each of said relief members having a height that is less than a height of said second contiguous raised rim.
 9. A foot protector as in claim 8, wherein said raised region has a height that is greater than a height of said first contiguous raised rim.
 10. A foot protector as in claim 8, wherein said raised region has a curved surface adapted to generally nest with the arch of the wearer's foot.
 11. A foot protector as in claim 8, wherein said relief members include a concentric arrangement of contiguous ridges.
 12. A foot protector as in claim 11, wherein said concentric arrangement is adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the mid-arch of the wearer's foot.
 13. A foot protector as in claim 8, wherein said relief members are adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the heel of the wearer's foot.
 14. A foot protector as in claim 8, further comprising an adhesive on at least a portion of said top surface, said adhesive adapted to adhere to the sole of the wearer's foot.
 15. A foot protector as in claim 14, further comprising a sheet of releasable material coupled to said adhesive, wherein said sheet is removable to expose said adhesive.
 16. A foot protector, comprising: a flexible member having an outer shape and dimensions generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer's foot, said flexible member having a top, a bottom, and an outer edge, said top including a raised region adjacent to said outer edge and adapted to be aligned with an arch of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is placed on said top, said top including a first contiguous raised rim along said top adjacent to said outer edge, said bottom including a second contiguous raised rim along said bottom adjacent to said outer edge, and said bottom including a plurality of spaced-apart relief members within the confines of said second contiguous raised rim, each of said relief members having a height that is less than a height of said second contiguous raised rim; an adhesive on at least a portion of said top, said adhesive adapted to adhere to the sole of the wearer's foot; and a sheet of releasable material coupled to said adhesive, wherein said sheet is removable to expose said adhesive.
 17. A foot protector as in claim 16, wherein said raised region has a curved surface adapted to generally nest with the arch of the wearer's foot.
 18. A foot protector as in claim 16, wherein said relief members include a concentric arrangement of contiguous ridges.
 19. A foot protector as in claim 18, wherein said concentric arrangement is adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the mid-arch of the wearer's foot.
 20. A foot protector as in claim 16, wherein said relief members are adapted to be aligned with a region of the wearer's foot extending from the ball of the wearer's foot to the heel of the wearer's foot. 